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Family-Based Immigration

Two groups of family-based immigrant visa categories, immediate relatives and family preference, are provided under the provisions of U.S. immigration law, specifically the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  You may wish to review our Directory of Visa Categories  to learn more about these two categories of immigrant visas, as well as other types of immigrant visas to the United States.

To apply for an immediate relative or family preference immigrant visa, follow the steps included on the Immigrant Visa Process.  Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the National Visa Center (NVC), along with the information presented at usvisas.state.gov, for further guidance and instructions.

After the Interview

If your visa has been approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.  Carefully review our After the Interview webpage to learn what to do when you receive your visa, enter the United States, pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee, and other important information.